A giant asteroid, approximately the size of two football fields, will pass very close to Earth on September 18th, at a distance of only 842,000 kilometers. Although it is twice the average distance between the Earth and the Moon, it is entirely safe. The passage of such a large body so close is considered a rare event; such encounters occur about once every ten years.
The asteroid, designated 2025 FA22, has a diameter of approximately 158 meters. It was discovered in March of this year by the Pan-STARRS 2 telescope. Initially, scientists assumed that it could collide with Earth in 2089, which is why it appeared on the European Space Agency’s list of hazardous objects.
If an asteroid of this size were to ever collide with Earth, it would create a crater about 4 kilometers in diameter. Fortunately, this encounter will only be an opportunity to watch. From September 18-22, FA22 will shine so brightly that it will be visible even with small amateur telescopes.
